An Oriental rug can be just the thing or a formal living room. The jewel like colors of an Oriental rug can go well with any sort of formal decor, be it French, English, American, or even Oriental

Buying
Before the homeowner buys their Oriental rug, they should know why they’re buying it. Some homeowners see a rug in the store, fall in love with it and buy it without knowing anything else about it. This can include whether it’s too large or too small for their living room, or if the colors clash with the room’s decor. A little research beforehand can save the homeowner a lot of disappointment.

Color
The homeowner can choose a rug that’s harmonious with the color scheme in the living room, or contrasts with it. If the homeowner wants a harmonious effect, they should choose a rug that echoes one color that’s found in the room. The scarlet of a tuxedo style sofa might find an echo in the field of a gorgeous Kashan rug. The blues in the same rug can also match a blue upholstered armchair.

If the homeowner wants contrast, they’ll have to be careful that the colors don’t clash. Formal rooms are often decorated with neutral colors, so the dangers of this is lessened. The vivid colors in the rug can contrast with a different shade of the same color found in the room. A bergére upholstered in sky blue can be contrasted with the rich, peacock blue found in the borders of a Kashmir rug from India. Many Oriental rugs are woven with pastel shades. Bolder colors tend to be found in rugs woven by nomadic or tribal artisans. These rugs are better suited to less formal rooms, though a homeowner can experiment.

Design
The design of an Oriental rug in a formal living room isn’t as important as its color, though it’s still important. The best sort of rug for a formal room has intricate floral designs. The more elegant the setting is, the more an intricately woven rug will go with it. Even if the living room is not very elaborately decorated, an opulent rug can enhance it.

A rug with a centralized design like a motif should be placed in the center of the living room, otherwise room and rug risk looking unbalanced. A rug with largely vertical or horizontal patterns should be placed in a way that it’s never seen upside down, for these tend to be prayer rugs, or rugs that depict gardens or hunting scenes. The best place for this sort of rug is actually on a wall, as a tapestry-like hanging.

Size
This doesn't just mean that the rug will fit into the space. Oriental rugs need space around them, else they risk being swallowed up by the room, or overwhelming it. Rugs that have bold patterns and colors need more space around them than rugs with delicate pastel shades. The amount of furniture also matters. The less furniture in the living room, the more space the rug can comfortably occupy.